Megan and Michael had a great big party of a wedding, (with a a great big wedding party) at Tucson’s eastside horsey-hideaway, the Tanque Verde Guest Ranch, nailing just the right mix of resort elegance and western-themed fun. The two met in college while interning at Budweiser, so you can imagine that this was a fun crowd, with a few glasses of brew hoisted in jubilant celebration. They both had families that obviously adore them, and everyone had a great time – in part because the Ranch has such a private, getaway feel. It’s easy to feel that you’ve got the place to yourself!
We did a “first look” at a cool old bunkhouse there, where Megan got to turn Michael around and promptly burst into tears. Witnessed only by me, her parents, and some bridesmaids with faces pressed to the closest window. I like the “first meeting” (or “first glimpse” which sounds sort of peeping-tom to me), because it de-pressurizes things a bit, and lets us make some relaxed portraits of the couple, alone and with immediate family, and then do touchups before the ceremony itself. It also means we have fewer shots to make after the wedding and a chance for the couple to make it to their cocktail hour. But it’s still not the predominant schedule (60/40 I’d say) so I guess sometimes it drives the venue co-ordinators crazy if they don’t know about it ahead of time (sorry Cindy!) Happily, it all went off on time and without a hitch. They’ve been doing this for ages out there and they sure know how to “git’r done!”
The short and simple ceremony was set outside with the mighty Rincon mountain range as a backdrop, and transitioned nicely into cocktail hour on the giant luxurious green lawn, just steps away. Dinner in main dining room was elegant and delicious, and dancing was off the hook, with thanks to longtime friend DJ Clint Pittenger, who’s lovely wife Angela, a old Arizona Daily Star colleague of mine, has joined the ranks of us wedding photographers recently! It was also great to see Alia Rollwood, banquet manager extraordinare, who often hires me for corporate photography at her day job with General Growth Properties (aka the Tucson Mall). It’s pretty cool when you’ve been in Tucson doing stuff like this long enough that you’re surrounded by friends everywhere you go.
Michael and Megan told me from the first time we met that they’re not crazy about “posing” for photos, but we kept it super-painless as always, and it turns out Michael lights up whenever tickled by Megan. I used that knowledge for good and not for evil, I promise. We stole away at sunset for a few obligatory shots by the cute little lake they have there, and used some great wooden doors as the backdrop for our portrait station, which was a hit as always.
I heard rumor that this wedding was cute enough to make it as a feature in the upcoming spring issue of Tucson Bride and Groom…so keep your fingers crossed!
Guests and family can find the full wedding here - http://pictage.com/1191111
